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'Just a good kid'

There are many reasons not to forget 18-year-old Caulder James Johnston.
Caulder Johnston
Caulder Johnston

There are many reasons not to forget 18-year-old Caulder James Johnston. Many will remember him for his beloved Sunbird he liked to drive, while others will remember him for his pet turkey that once chased a police officer around his family's property. Some will remember Caulder for his sense of humour and the jokes he played, while some will remember him for just being a nice kid with a big heart.

Caulder's life was cut short March 11 when he was driving home from the Cold Lake McDonald's with his 17-year-old brother Reed, and they collided with another vehicle. A truck travelling east pulled out to pass another vehicle and hit the Johnston vehicle, which was travelling west.

No charges have been laid and an investigation is underway. Police say road and weather conditions were very poor at the time and that alcohol was not a factor. The occupants of the truck were unharmed.

Reed suffered a broken wrist and is wearing a neck brace, but is expected to recover. Caulder was pronounced dead after being transferred to an Edmonton hospital.

"He was just a happy kid," said his mother Danielle Johnston. "He didn't say much but when he did it was always meaningful."

"(He was) always willing to help somebody," said his father Duane Johnston.

Caulder graduated from Bonnyville Centralized High School (BCHS) last year and had completed his safety certification to work as a pumper in the oilfield. He also spoke of pursuing computer engineering.

"That's what he loved was his computers ... big time," said Duane.

"Oh, anything Apple. He had everything, even the Apple TV," said Danielle.

In the meantime, Caulder worked at the Real Canadian Wholesale Club as a grocery clerk.

"He really loved it there," said Danielle.

Caulder used to sneak up on people he knew at the store and stand behind them until they noticed.

"I'd always hear stories where they're shopping and then all of the sudden they turn around and he's right there," explained Danielle.

Caulder was a very good worker and very easy to get along with, said store manager Curtis Gehrig.

"This is really hitting the store very, very hard," he said.

Caulder had worked at the store for over two years and was in line for an assistant supervisor position.

A "very good character," Gehrig said Caulder had some "quirky quirks" such as when he would sneak into a room and stand there staring at someone until they noticed.

He said staff members are putting together a scrapbook with stories about Caulder, who will be definitely missed.

Gehrig said Caulder was "really heartfelt," always smiled, and never had a bad day.

"I could talk all day. I think probably everyone here could."

Danielle said a lot of people knew him from the store as "he'd be the only one that would help them."

But those who didn't know Caulder through the store might have known him for his 1979 Sunbird station wagon, the only one in town. He loved cars and driving. His older brother Cody would help him fix his car, while Reed would go on road trips with him. He also bought himself a 2007 Cobalt last year.

"He was so proud because he went up to the city and got his own loan and did everything himself," said Danielle. "(He) came back and said, 'Surprise, I've got a car.'"

Duane said he was very good with financial matters and was very independent. The average teenager might accept gas money from their parents, but not Caulder.

An average teenage boy might also have a pet dog or cat, but Caulder had a pet turkey named Bubbles. The family had purchased some turkeys for their acreage south of Ardmore, but they were attacked by coyotes. One survived and a friendship was formed.

"We had intentions of butchering him," laughed Duane.

"But Caulder wouldn't let us. He latched onto him," added Danielle.

Bubbles became a guard turkey and Caulder often had to come outside to keep him under control if he was bothering Cody.

A police officer came to the family's property once because Reed's quad was stolen and Bubbles chased him all the way to the house, Danielle recalled amidst laughter.

"He'd even walk down the road with us when we'd go for a walk. We'd look behind and here comes the turkey," she said.

Caulder liked spending time with his brothers and cousins. He often visited his aunt in Stony Plain where he would go to concerts. He liked bands such as Nickelback, Creed and Buck Cherry.

Whenever his grandparents called, Caulder would jokingly pick up the phone and say, "Joe's Pool Hall?"

"I was always after him to go to the gym, but he always used to just laugh at me," recalled Duane.

He would also try to convince him to go hunting, but Caulder didn't have the patience to sit out in the bush.

"I guess maybe if he could've taken his laptop with him it would've been a different story."

Caulder got his nickname 'Clauder' when he called into a radio station once to request a song and they mispronounced his name, explained Duane.

Caulder enjoyed participating in the Santa's Elves program at BCHS that collects Christmas gifts for needy children and went back to his old high school last December to help wrap gifts.

A member of the school's travel club, he enjoyed trips to New York in Grade 11, and Europe in Grade 12.

"I'm sure he would've travelled all over," said Danielle.

He also enjoyed taking photos and took about 700 during the New York trip, his parents explained.

Caulder had asthma and scoliosis, and learned two months ago he only had one functioning kidney.

"He's had his share of stuff like that but nothing really got him down," said Danielle.

"(It) didn't faze him," added Duane.

Family and loved ones said goodbye to Caulder this past Saturday at the Beaver River Fish and Game building in Bonnyville followed by interment at Rat Lake Cemetery in Ardmore.

"(He was) just a good kid all around," said Danielle.

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